by D. Camille
Shaking his head, Spencer walked over and pulled back the curtain. Seeing the door ajar, he closed it firmly and locked it before reaching up to replace the dark curtain. A quick blow to the back of his head and he was out cold on the floor.
******
Khayla, Tauri, Mac, and Danielle all sat around the room in the elder Lewis’ home with Kyros, who was playing in the other room.
“Are you nervous?” Khayla asked Danielle, whose leg was shaking.
“Terrified,” she answered.
Khayla placed a hand on her knee. “He’s going to be fine. Khalil is a soldier.”
Danielle shook her head. “Just knowing that criminal is in town and wondering if he’s one step ahead…”
“The Negus are with Khalil, Danielle,” Mac assured her.
“Khalil is the most dangerous of them all, he probably doesn’t even need them,” Tauri added and both Khayla and Mac looked at her.
Tauri held her son on her lap. “Well he is, it’s no secret.”
Danielle smiled at the baby. “I know that Khalil Lewis is not a man who messes around.”
“My brother will make sure Spencer regrets the day he chose Kyros as his obsession,” Khayla said proudly.
Tauri placed little Rion on the floor and he stood on chubby legs holding on to her. “Is he walking?” Danielle asked.
“He’s trying, but between my grandparents, the Shaws, Orion, the Judge and my mother, he doesn’t get a lot of opportunity to work on it,” Tauri told her.
“He’s really handsome,” Danielle told her.
Tauri smiled at her son. “He looks like his Daddy.” She patted her stomach. “This one had better look like me, since I’m doing all the work.”
Khayla laughed. “I think Rion did some of that work.”
Tauri laughed. “He’s trying to get those five kids, real hard.”
Danielle’s eyes widened. “He wants five kids?”
“Yes, he told me that before we got married,” Tauri told her.
“And you still married him?” Danielle asked.
“You don’t say no to Orion Shaw.”
Danielle looked at the baby again. “I see.” She drifted off into her own thoughts as little Rion took the spotlight.
Thinking of not being able to say no…Danielle was transported to the last night she’d spend at Khalil’s home. One minute, she’d been sitting on his sofa and then she’d been butt naked astride his strong thighs with his mouth feasting on her breasts. Her hands had gripped the back of the sofa as she devoured his mouth and rode him slowly. Later, he’d laid her down and kissed her scar before tasting her woman’s nectar then rested peacefully on her naked body.
“Danielle?” Khayla called her name.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
“I said, can I get you anything?” Khayla repeated, standing to her feet.
Danielle cleared her throat. “Maybe some water.” She fanned herself. “It’s warm in here.”
Khayla smiled at her. “Sure, I’ll get you some. I’ll check the heat too, but I think it might just be you.”
“I’ll go with you,” Danielle stood and followed her to the kitchen.
Tauri looked at Mac. “I can’t even imagine what Khalil did to her to put that look on her face.”
“You never know what these guys do behind closed doors,” Mac said with a sly smile.
Khayla handed the cool glass to Danielle. “Are you okay?”
Danielle took a long sip. “Yes, I’ll be fine.” She frowned. “But I won’t rest until I see Khalil again.”
“Thank you for caring so much about my brother and Kyros. They really needed you right now,” Khayla told her honestly.
“Whatever I can do, I’m happy to do it. Those two have come to mean a lot to me.”
Khayla took her hand. “Let’s just get through the next few hours and then we’ll all be able to rest.”
******
Spencer came to and opened his eyes slowly. The blurriness made him shake his head. He felt himself being moved…he was lying flat on something that was moving. Blinking, he looked at the men. Paramedics. Had he been in an accident? He tried to remember what had happened.
He glanced around and saw the hotel lobby, and people standing around. He tried to move, but his arms were strapped down. He tried to speak, but couldn’t with the mask over his face. The two men hurriedly wheeled him outside into the cold air. An ambulance was waiting and he was loaded inside. He watched as his bag was also thrown inside.
The doors closed with a bang and he felt the vehicle begin to move. Still trying to figure out what was happening, he looked around inside the truck and felt a dull throb in the back of his head. They drove a short way before coming to a stop and he figured they’d arrived at the hospital. The doors opened and his eyes widened as Khalil Lewis climbed inside. The attendant exited and the doors closed with a thud before Khalil took the seat next to where he laid.
He leaned down to Spencer’s ear. “Just in case you’re confused, I’m about to fuck you up.”
******
Melody hugged herself closely as the taxi continued to drive through the streets. What had happened? How did she get here? Khalil had told her that she’d come to the Center and they’d work on the plan from there. He hadn’t shared what the actual plan was, but she figured that he had something up his sleeve. She hated being the pawn in this game between Khalil and Spencer.
Looking over, she frowned. “Where are we going?”
“You ask too many damn questions; do you know that?” he snapped.
“Where’s Khalil?” she demanded.
“Khalil is the least of your worries tonight.”
Her eyes widened. “What do I have to worry about?”
The taxi stopped and Melody watched as a passenger covered in a large winter coat, complete with hood, entered the front seat next to the driver.
“Is everything on schedule?” the driver asked.
The passenger nodded. “Let’s go.” Flipping back her hood, she turned to the back seat.
“Hello Melody.”
Melody felt her heart stop. “Nooooo…let me out of here!”
******
“Welcome back to Detroit,” Khalil told Spencer. “I understand that you aren’t too fond of my city.”
Khalil nodded. “That’s okay because this is your last visit.”
Spencer’s eyes grew wider over the mask as he tried to free his arms.
Khalil watched and waited. “It’s a terrible feeling to be powerless and vulnerable, isn’t it?” Khalil asked.
“To have somebody plan and plot methodically to hurt you?” Khalil placed a hand around Spencer’s neck. “And you have no way to stop them.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to strangle you,” Khalil told him. “Because that would end your misery and it’s only the beginning.”
Khalil removed his hand. “You picked the wrong boy Spencer. Any boy is actually the wrong boy, but Kyros Lewis was your death warrant.”
Khalil frowned. “You thought you were going to take MY son and do some heinous shit to him.” He shook his head. “I’ll never get right with that.”
Spencer continued to try to release his arms and Khalil looked down at him. “If you do get loose, I’m just going to beat your ass, so you should probably just lie there until we reach our destination.”
He noticed Spencer trying to talk and reached over to remove the mask. Taking a few gulps of air, Spencer looked at Khalil.
“Where are you taking me?” he asked hoarsely.
“Your equivalent to hell.”
Spencer shook his head. “Listen, we can work something out. I have money.”
“I’m not Melody and I don’t give a fuck about your damn money!” Khalil snapped.
“You won’t get away with this!” Spencer protested. “I have friends in powerful places.”
Khalil looked around the truck. “Where are they?” He checked his w
atch. “They’d better get here in the next hour because their buddy Spencer is about to meet a tragic end.”
“How the hell did you do this?” Spencer demanded.
Khalil smirked. “Look at me, with an HBCU degree outsmarting an esteemed Ivy Leaguer.”
“See, I too have friends in powerful places all around this city and you fucked up by coming into my territory while all my pieces were in play. You made the wrong move, now it’s Checkmate for your sick ass,” Khalil explained.
Spencer looked confused. “It’s Chess.” Khalil told him. “Don’t hurt yourself.”
“People will be looking for me,” Spencer argued.
Khalil shrugged. “I’m sure they will, including the authorities in New York who’ll have possession of your pornographic computer.”
“Not the brightest idea to actually film inside your own house,” Khalil told him. “You disgusting bastard.”
“You stole that!”
“Prove it.”
Spencer laid his head back in frustration. “That damn Melody! She turned on me!”
“Don’t worry, Melody has her own worries,” Khalil said sitting back as the truck stopped.
******
The taxi came to a stop and the front passengers exited then stood beside the doors.
“Get out Melody,”
She shook her head. “I’m not! She’s going to kill me.”
He grabbed her arm. “Girl, get your ass out of the car!”
Her door was opened and she was yanked out of the vehicle. “Mrs. Lewis, what are you doing?” Melody cried as Assata held on to her.
“We’re going to get the truth out of you once and for all, before we send you on your merry way,” Assata told her as she began leading her to a waiting ambulance.
Melody tried to pull away as the doors were thrown open. She saw Khalil sitting on a stool and Spencer strapped to a gurney. Assata pushed her inside then joined her. Mr. Shaw and Corvus stood beside each door.
“You two good?” Mr. Shaw asked.
Khalil nodded. “Thanks Mr. Shaw, and thanks Corvus.”
Both men nodded and shut the doors before the truck took off again. Khalil looked from Spencer to Melody. “Well, now that we have the star-crossed lovers together, I want some answers.” He looked at Melody. “And I’m going to get them.”
******
“Don’t both start talking at once,” Khalil said as they both remained silent.
Melody frowned at Spencer. “I told you not to do anything stupid! I warned you not to cross them!”
“Did Melody know what you were planning for Kyros?” Khalil questioned Spencer.
Spencer glared at her. “Yes, she knew everything. She doesn’t care about the boy. She said I could have him.”
Melody’s mouth fell open. “You liar! You lying bastard!” She rushed Spencer and began punching him in the face. “You’re the cause of all of this!”
Khalil pulled her off the restrained man and held her from behind as she cried. “I didn’t want any of this! I just wanted to be married…” she broke down. “I would never let you hurt my son, or any little boy!”
She turned to Khalil in desperation. “I know I’ve haven’t been very good to you or Kyros, but despite all of my faults, I would never hurt either of you like that. Please tell me that you at least know that about me?” she said through her tears. “You know I loved you, Khalil.”
“Sit down Melody,” Khalil told her and helped her to one of the stools.
She sat crying as Khalil looked at his mother, who showed no emotion at Melody’s outburst. He turned to Spencer. “You used her.”
“She used me,” Spencer retaliated.
Melody looked at Spencer in disgust. “I hate you.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re not what I wanted anyway.”
Khalil grabbed his throat and squeezed this time. “Shut the fuck up!”
Assata looked at her watch. “Almost there Khalil.”
He knew his mother was telling him not to kill this bastard yet, especially in front of Melody. Reluctantly, he removed his hand then glanced at the woman who’d birthed his child. Shaking his head, he sat on the empty stool.
“Khalil…” Melody whispered.
“Don’t even…” Assata warned.
Melody looked from Assata to her son, who was silently watching Spencer with a deadly look.
“So Spencer, you were going to kill Melody too, huh?” Assata questioned and Melody looked at Spencer.
When he didn’t answer, she yelled, “You were going to kill me?”
He smirked. “Hopefully, they’ll do it for me,” Spencer said looking at Khalil and Assata.
“Go to hell, Spencer.” Melody told him.
“Oh, that’s exactly where he’s headed,” Khalil confirmed.
Assata looked at Melody. “See your little fiancé here, came to Detroit to kill you and Khalil then take off with my grandson.”
Spencer looked surprised that she knew his plan and Assata shook her head. “You really think too little of us colored folk, Spencer. We’s be educated now wit books and all...”
Khalil looked at his mother and shook his head. “My son is beloved in this city. You came after him once and thought you’d get a second chance?” she asked in amazement.
“Everybody in this damn city has been watching you and your cronies since you landed.” Assata told him. “Your little henchmen that were supposed to carry out your ‘robbery’, yeah they’ve been picked up by DPD and they’re telling all your little nasty secrets.”
“And my grandson is safe at my house reading books and eating snacks, like a little boy is supposed to.” Assata finished.
Melody felt relief at Assata’s words and glanced at Khalil.
“And now your name, your family’s money, your connections…don’t mean a damn thing,” Assata told him angrily. “Because the King is about to administer justice.”
The truck stopped and both Melody and Spencer looked afraid. Assata reached for the doors as they opened and the rest of the Negus stood waiting in the cold along with Mr. Shaw and Mr. Lewis. Malachi came around from the driver’s seat and met them at the back.
“Get out Melody,” Khalil instructed and she froze.
Khalil looked at her. “I’m not going to hurt you, get out of the truck.”
Slowly, she followed Assata out of the vehicle and braced herself against the cold blowing off of the river. Khalil climbed out and stood with the group then looked at Melody.
“You can put her on a plane out of here,” Khalil told the men and they all looked at Assata.
“If you say one word, I will hunt you down,” Assata vowed.
Melody placed a hand over her chest. “I swear, I won’t. I don’t care what happens to him, he deserves it.”
After a minute, Assata nodded. “Goodbye Melody. I don’t want to see you again.”
Melody agreed then moved over to Khalil. She looked up into his eyes and placed a hand on his chest. “I’m sorry Khalil, for all of this.”
Khalil removed her hand. “Goodbye Melody.”
“Do you need anything else from us?” Brandon asked.
Khalil shook his head. “I’ve got it from here.”
Rion handed him a set of keys. “The car’s parked in the lot down the street.”
The Negus all gave Khalil a manshake then began to walk away along with Melody and Mr. Shaw. Khalil turned to his parents.
“You can go, too.”
Assata paused and Khalid gently took her arm. “He said we can go, Queen.”
She nodded slowly. “We will see you soon.”
Khalil agreed. “Yes.”
Khalid led his wife away and Malachi looked at Khalil. “I’ll return the ambulance and check in with you later at the house.”
Khalil took in a deep breath of the cold and turned to the truck. Climbing inside, he released Spencer’s ties and threw him out of the back door. Malachi looked at the man on the ground then waited unti
l Khalil jumped out before closing the doors. Without a word, he walked to the driver’s side, got in and drove away.
“Get up!” Khalil ordered.
Spencer put a hand up to protect his face. “I’m not going to fight you.”
Khalil kicked him in the chest with his Timberland boot. “Who said this was a fucking fight?”
Spencer reeled from the blow and landed flat on the cold ground. He felt the next kick in his ribs and cried out.
“Your ass better not cry!” Khalil yelled.
The next kick was to the genitals and Spencer actually screamed while grabbing the area. “You hurting?” Khalil taunted.
“Imagine how that shit feels what you do to little boys?”
The next kick had Spencer praying for an end to come, however, the end was long in coming…
******
Danielle stood at the window of the Lewis’ home peeking out of the curtains. She hugged herself and rubbed her arms wondering where Khalil was. Everyone else had returned to the house over an hour ago. They’d reported that everything had gone according to plan and Melody was now on her way to New York.
The Negus instructed her to collect as much stuff from Spencer’s home before he was reported missing. What she gathered could support her until she got on her feet. She was more than happy with both the plan and leaving Detroit for good.
There was a knock on the door and Danielle turned quickly to see who it was. When Malachi entered, she turned away and listened as he updated everyone on the situation. He’d left Khalil with Spencer downriver. They’d selected downriver since it was out of Mac’s jurisdiction.
“Are you okay?”
Danielle jumped and turned to Assata. “Yes, you scared me. I’m anxious to see Khalil.”
Assata studied the woman. “Khalil is lucky to find someone like you to love,” she told her.
“I don’t think he’s at that point,” Danielle said honestly.
Assata patted her arm. “If he wasn’t, you wouldn’t be anywhere near here.”
“Now the question is, when will you get that point?” Assata asked.
“I don’t know,” Danielle whispered. “I don’t want to fall so fast.”
“The heart is not a clock; it doesn’t keep time.” Assata smiled at her. “Orion and Tauri were married thirty days after they met.”
